Warning that flu is currently rife across the Borders

Published:12:22Thursday 10 March 2016

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NHS Borders has issued a warning that flu is circulating in the community.

If you have flu like symptoms you are advised not to visit family or friends at Borders General Hospital or community hospitals. And to prevent spreading it people are being told to cover their nose and mouth with a disposable single-use tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing noses and wash their hands afterwards.

It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine, and joint director of public health, Dr Tim Patterson explained: “Those who are eligible still have time to be protected by this season’s vaccine. The vaccine helps to protect against this year’s flu virus. It’s effective in stopping infection, and in the small number of cases when flu infection occurs despite vaccination, it can significantly reduce the severity of illness.

“Vaccination is needed every year because the virus changes constantly and your immunity reduces over time. It takes around ten days to work, so the sooner people who need it, get it, the better.

“The vaccine contains no live viruses so it can’t give you flu. It’s safe and free to those who are eligible.”